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Reformatting of the CityFHEPS Shopping Letters and Household Share Letters
The CityFHEPS Shopping Letters and Household Share Letters have been reformatted to improve clarity and ease of use for applicants/participants and potential landlords.
New CityFHEPS Landlord Packages
New CityFHEPS Landlord Packages have been created to help streamline and consolidate the documentation requirements for landlords.
Changes to Income Documentation for Clients Active on Cash Assistance (CA)
For clients in receipt of Cash Assistance (active case), the income on record with their case will now be used in lieu of providing income documentation. Previously, CityFHEPS application packages had to include the last 30 days of paystubs or other proof of income for household members 18 years of age and older. Effective with this change, income documentation no longer needs to be submitted with the CityFHEPS packet for clients with active CA cases.
- If the income information on their household share letter is not correct and they are on CA, they can update their income on Access HRA (AHRA), by working with their caseworker, or they may report the change to a Benefits Access Center (BAC).
- If they are not on CA and the income on their household share letter is wrong, they must let their caseworker know right away, and a new letter must be generated with the correct income information.
For more CityFHEPS resources and information, including updated documents and forms, click here.
NYC Child Support Releases Biennial Report for 2023-2024
The New York City Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) has released its 2023–2024 Biennial Report. Characterizing those two years as “a time of connections,” the report combines current data with descriptions of key activities and provides an up-to-date description of child support’s more holistic service delivery model.
The report offers insights into OCSS's work to:
- Deliver employment, training, and debt-reduction services to noncustodial parents
- Connect parents in City shelters to much-needed child support services
- Examine structural racism in the child support program through its 2023 Policy Conference
- Develop a new model for delivering child support services to young parents
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Communicate to parents by text and email, through webinars, and using the ACCESS HRA Child Support Mobile App
A brief overview of the child support process also makes the report a useful reference for partners interested in refreshing their understanding of this essential City program.
The list of contact methods and multi-language resources at the end of the report makes it especially valuable for community-based organizations that directly serve New York City families.
Child Support in the Community Newsletter
The DSS-HRA Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) has released its June 2025 newsletter, featuring important updates and information. You can access the current issue, along with previous editions, here.
Release of New Resource: Tenant Bill of Rights
The NYC Tenant Protection Cabinet (TPC) and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) have announced the release of the Tenant Bill of Rights. This new resource outlines the rights of New York City tenants in relation to the following:
- Fair and Equal Access to Housing
- Housing Quality
- Leases and Security Deposits
- Evictions and Legal Lockouts
- Landlord Harassment and Tenant Organizing
- Rent-Stabilized Apartments
- Apartments Covered by Good Cause Eviction
Please note that the Tenant Bill of Rights is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer or legal representation. For additional resources, such as connecting to free legal services, call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline or HPD at 212-863-6300. To find a printable version of the flyer in multiple languages, visit the Tenant Bill of Rights webpage. The corresponding social media toolkit can be found here. To register for a housing information class, click here.
DSS Office of Community Outreach Trainings & Event Requests
Community Partner Trainings and Presentations
The DSS Office of Community Outreach offers specialized training and presentations tailored for staff, advocates, and volunteers working across community-based organizations, elected officials' offices, and municipal agencies. These sessions are held multiple times a month, offering flexible scheduling options. The OCO currently offers the following trainings:
- ACCESS HRA General Overview Webinar
- ACCESS HRA Provider Portal Webinar
- ACCESS HRA Benefit Application Webinar
- CityFHEPS Program Overview and Renewal Application Webinar
- DSS Overview Webinar
- Electronic Benefit Theft and Replacement Claim Process Webinar
- Fair Fares Program Overview and Application Webinar
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Webinar
- IDNYC Program Overview and Document Requirement Webinar
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Overview and Application Webinar
- Medicaid Renewal Process Webinar
Click here to view training descriptions and register for an upcoming virtual session.
Organizations interested in requesting any of the trainings listed above specifically for their staff (10 or more) should complete and submit the DSS Training Request Form and someone will be in touch to schedule. Contact CommunityEducation@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form.
Community Partner Event Requests
The DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) welcomes requests to participate in events hosted by community partner organizations. Please complete and submit the Community Partner Event Attendance Request Form to request DSS presence at your event and the Outreach Events unit will follow-up on a first come, first serve basis to arrange for DSS representation. Contact OutreachEvents@dss.nyc.gov if you have any questions or encounter issues submitting the form.
Resources/Helpful Links:
ACCESS HRA Client Portal: ACCESS HRA is an online benefits portal and mobile app for New York City residents. With ACCESS HRA, clients can apply or recertify for many HRA benefits, manage their case(s), and much more. Clients can also submit and keep track of documents for their application(s) using the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app.
ACCESS HRA Help Desk/Online Support: For answers benefit/site-related questions, use the Contact Us form linked or email: accesshrahelpdesk@dss.nyc.gov.
ACCESS HRA Technical Support: For technical issues with ACCESS HRA, email: accesshrasuppapp@dss.nyc.gov. In the message, please include a screenshot of the error, a description of the issue and the ACCESS HRA username.
ACCESS HRA Provider Portal: a provider-facing website that allows clients to grant permission to community-based organizations providing direct social services benefit enrollment assistance and/or ongoing case management to New Yorkers in receipt of HRA-administered benefits. To learn more, visit the Provider Tools section of the DSS/HRA website. If you’d like to request access to the Provider Portal, please begin with submitting an expression of interest via the ‘Interested in Joining the ACCESSHRA Provider Portal?’ form.
Design and Print Ordering System (DPOS): Community Partners interested in ordering outreach materials (in bulk and delivered free of charge) from HRA and are ordering for the first time, should email DPOS Customer Service at DPOSCustomerService@dss.nyc.gov to have their organization/agency registered in the system. Once completed, the requestor will receive an email with a link to create an account, allowing their organization/agency the ability to order from HRA's catalog.
Organizations and agencies with already existing DPOS accounts, should log into their account using the appropriate link below:
DSS Disability Access: HRA can help by providing supports or accommodations to client’s with disabilities to make getting the services they need easier. This type of help is called a reasonable accommodation. Click here to learn more about how to request one.
DSS Office of Community Outreach (OCO) Virtual Training Sign-Up: Intended for community-based organizations, elected officials and their staff, and other municipal agencies. These trainings are conducted multiple times per month and allow for flexible scheduling. Use the DSS Training Request Form if interested in requesting a training session specifically for your organization (for groups of 10 or more).
DSS OneNumber (formerly Infoline): 718-557-1399
DSS/HRA Provider Tools & Supports
DSS - HRA - DHS Webpages
EBT Customer Service Helpline: 1-888-328-6399
ebtEDGE: Cardholder portal and mobile application that allows clients to manage their EBT cards, check their balances/transactions, change their PIN, lock/unlock/replace their cards and more!
Find a Partner Organization: Includes Community-Based Organizations who can help complete applications and screen applicants for eligibility to the various programs. Some locations also assist with submitting documents to DSS electronically. Contact the organizations listed for more information.
NYC 311: Non-emergency municipal services are available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA): responsible for supervising programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. OTDA’s functions include: Providing temporary cash assistance; providing assistance in paying for food; providing heating assistance; overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program; determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits; supervising homeless housing and services programs; and providing assistance to certain immigrant populations.
Sign up for important updates from DSS/HRA: If you received this newsletter by way of a partner organization or colleague and have yet to sign up on your own, click here to receive relevant resources, agency updates, and opportunities that may interest you and the communities you serve.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, and for all that you do every day to help New Yorkers in need.
Sincerely,
Office of Community Outreach
NYC Department of Social Services
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